Stakeford Primary School Nursery Review

Bear masks and story retelling gave Stakeford’s early years provision a clear character at the February 2024 inspection: children developed language through joining in, talking and making familiar tales their own. Nursery sits within Stakeford Primary School, alongside provision for two-year-olds. Children can start nursery in the term following their third birthday.

At the Ofsted inspection on 13 and 14 February 2024, early years provision was graded Good. This is the school’s early years judgement, covering more than the nursery alone. Teaching recognised children’s different starting points, giving learning a basis in what each child could already do.

In February 2024, reading and spoken language gave the early years curriculum its direction. Adults demonstrated how to use language, helping children develop the skills needed to talk with others. Children retold Goldilocks and the Three Bears using bear masks. That connects stories with speaking and social interaction, rather than leaving books as something children only listen to.

In February 2024, preparation for phonics began in the two-year-old provision. The emphasis was on getting children ready for the reading programme, with staff training supporting its delivery. For children attending the two-year-old provision then, reading preparation therefore began before the main nursery intake.

Daily structure matters too. In February 2024, early years children picked up routines promptly and behaved well. Across the school, classes use visual timetables and discuss the day’s sequence at its beginning, helping children anticipate activities and changes.

The same inspection required improvements across the school in checking readiness for the next learning step and monitoring the curriculum’s impact. These were school-wide concerns, rather than findings confined to nursery. They make assessment and the timing of further challenge useful topics for a visit.

Children settled promptly in early years in February 2024. Adult support for conversation also helped their social development, linking the learning programme with getting comfortable around other people.

For additional needs, the class teacher takes responsibility for support, with the SENDCo overseeing provision for children on the special educational needs register. Individual Education Plans are reviewed by the teacher and monitored by the SENDCo. Parents can agree more frequent contact through conversations or a home-link book, giving families a practical way to keep support connected between home and school.

The school building has one storey and is accessible to wheelchair users. A hygiene room includes facilities for changing children who need help with toileting or intimate care. These are concrete provisions for children whose care needs extend beyond classroom learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route; Stakeford follows Northumberland’s local authority admissions process, while managing nursery applications itself. Treat the two applications as separate decisions when planning your child’s next step.

Breakfast Provision accepts nursery children and operates in the main school building, with drop-off from 7:50 am at the main entrance. School support staff run it. Booking uses the School Money App, with a deadline of midday the preceding day, or midday on Friday for Monday care. After-school care is restricted to Reception and older children, so nursery families cannot use it to extend the afternoon.

Visits can be arranged through the school secretary. General enquiries can also be made using the enquiry form or by calling 01670 812369. For current charges, contact the school.